This summer saw the return of the unique collaboration between Ghanain xylophonist Isaac Birituro and British singer-songwriter Sonny Johns and his band of live musicians, AKA The Rail Abandon. Having created something of a buzz back in 2019 with their debut album Kalba – gaining support along the way from Gilles Peterson, Cerys Matthews and Tom Ravenscroft to name but a few – and after something of a hiatus, the combo released their new LP, entitled Small Small, in July of this year.
Senye, featuring Ghanaian lioness Wiyaala on vocals, was released as a single in its original form earlier this summer. It became something of an underground hit, and had the prestigious honour of being the first song ever to be A-listed on BBC 6Music, with much love from the station’s DJs and producers:
“Wah Wah 45s bringing us that heat. I love them as a label.” Jamz Supernova (BBC 6Music)
“A bit of new music I’m really digging right now.. It’s groovy isn’t it!?” Craig Charles (BBC 6Music) “Love that!” Gemma Cairney (BBC 6Music)
“Perfection… Absolutely loving that.” – Annie Mac (BBC 6Music)
“This is brand new from one of my favourite UK indie labels, Wah Wah 45s – brilliant label. I think I mentioned last time I played this that Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon was one of the last gigs I went to before lockdown at a little venue by the river in East London… And now they’re back with a new track featuring Wiyaala.” Deb Grant (BBC 6Music)
“Pure Joy!” Tash LC (BBC 6Music)
Despite its uplifting feel, the meaning of the song (sung in the native language of Birifor) is somewhat darker, albeit ultimately positive and healing. In the typical Birifor culture, when your best friend of the opposite sex loses a partner, it is required of you to be present to provoke them to grieve more. It is believed that the more the widow/widower grieves at the funeral, the more easily they can get over the pain of their loss. So asking them a simple question of the whereabouts of their partner quickly provokes them to grieve more and by that you are assisting them to recover and showing your true friendship in their difficult moment. In short, this song seeks to assist any person grieving a spouse to get over their pain through the help of their friends.
Remix duties on this release come courtesy of London based DJ, producer, podcaster and label owner, Ben Gomori. As well as being the head honcho at Monologues Records, Ben was the man behind the amazing Sterns Afro edits, and as such, was an obvious choice to take on this anthemic slice of Afro fire – something he relished:
“I loved the energy of Senye and wanted to distil some of the positive vibe of it into a housey mix that would hopefully put a smile on people’s faces. The high tempo and intricate melodies and rhythms of the original didn’t all work when slowed down to house tempo, so I decided to focus on a few key elements, giving the guitar an almost synth-like effect and picking the most powerful bits of the vocal to sit alongside a piano house groove.” Ben Gomori
Reactions & Radio Play
Support from DJ Coco, Cottam, Fred Everything, Massimiliano Pagliara, Joyce Muniz, Justin Harris, Michelle Manetti, Enduro Disco, Inda Jani, Manuel Sahagun.
“Incredible – I’m hooked.” Tina Edwards (Worldwide FM / Jazz FM, UK)
“Lovely once again!” Village Cuts (Various, UK)
“Good remix for the floor.” Jan Infracom! (Frankfurt, Germany)
“Love the groove!” Inkswel (BBE / Tokyo Dawn, Australia)
“Cool remix!” DJ Angola (Various, Texas, USA)
“Perfection on top of perfection – two of my favourite artists already together given tip top remix props. The original is one of my favourite tracks on the album – neither party can do wrong …. and this is an inspired mix lifting the energy even higher and highlighting truly salient moments . On repeat already with airplay guaranteed.” Debbie Golt (Resonance FM, UK)
“Powerful!” DJ Junior (Record Breakin’, USA)
“Bassline magic!” Ash Selector (Solar Radio, UK)
“Radio support on my shows, starting right now on air!” Tiago Santos (Radio Oxigenio, Portugal)
“sweet house mix of this tune that will work the club beautifully. and spread the song no doubt….love the teasing out of the tune on second half of song til it ends a bit of a reverie…” Fergus Murphy (Joy, Copenhagen, Denmark)
“This is brilliant, love it.” Bob Hill (Totally Wired Radio, UK)
“Dance music comes in alll shapes and sizes. This is extra large!” DJ Osric (RTR FM, Australia)
“Pumping rework building up the enerrgy of this track. Brings it to life and the dance floor.” John Warr (Totally Radio, UK)
“Raise up your hands!!!” Cesare Cera (Radio Bologna Uno, Italy)
“I love this remix.” Tony Heynen (Global Riddims, Brussels, Belgium)
“Warming up the winter cockles eh! Lots going on throughout – can see this being a grower!” Steve KIW (1BTN, UK)
“Oh my! On air! Blast!” Olgierd (Sofa Surfing, Poland)
“This is a dancefloor bomb.” Rado Tomek (NU Spirit Club, Slovakia)
“Fire!” Chris Knight (Astrojazz, Edinburgh, Scotland)
“Strong remix.” Mans Stromberg (Radio Helsinki, Finland)
“SUPER!” Veronique Prebolin (Radio Kim, France)
“Great remix! Love Isaac Birituro productions! Congrats again to Wah Wah 45s!” Enrique Domenech (Freeform Podcasts, Spain)
“Nice one!” Karsten John (Vinyl Vibes, Germany)
“Splendid!” Chris Greenwood (SOAS Radio / Louie Louie, UK)
“Wonderful!” Olivier Cavaller (De La Bonne Musique, France)
“éNORME !! SUPERBE VOIX PUISSANTE!” Jean Marc Baehler (Radio Television Suisse, Switzerland)
“Potent stuff.” Asian Hawk (Various, UK)
“This made me smile!” Dave Bassin (KUSF, USA)
“Big tune, full of sunshine.” Mr. Lob (Various, Australia)
“Nice tune!” Sven Thomschke (Radio Z, Germany)
“Great remix.” Amar Kabouche (Fauve Radio, Hong Kong)
“GREAT STUFF INDEED.” Jim McMaster (TNGC Radio, UK)
“Sweetness.” Amrisha Prashar (Radar Radio, UK)
“”Smasher!” Tobi Kirsch (Klunkerkranich, Faze, HHV, MINT, Berlin, Germany)
“A finely remix.” Dan Wesker (Detektor FM, UK)
“Afro disco house – thank you for remixing(n’ dancing) – you know this is brilliant.” Gerry Hectic (Jazz Chronicles, UK)
Reviews
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